More than 1,300 People Dead from Earthquake

On February 6, more than 1,300 people died in Turkey and Syria combined after a traumatic earthquake.
Taking down buildings is required to search for survivors in whatever is left in the city and towns
across the regions. The residents in both of the countries were awakened by the quake several
hours before the sun rose. People then rushed outside to the cold, rain, and snow. At least 11
people were killed in a town called Atmeh, and many more people were buried in the
rubble.
In the Turkish city of Adana, people said they heard one individual calling for help
underneath the rubble of a building. A reporter said that they heard from one person, “I don’t
have the strength to carry on.” Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency reported
at least seventy-six people were found dead. With four hundred forty people injured. The
residents were urged not to drive on the roads as people were trying to leave the damaged
areas causing traffic jams.
The regions are trying to open up a shelter for people unable to return to if their homes are
damaged and the temperatures are freezing. The earthquake was one of the strongest to hit the
regions in more than 100 years. A heartbreaking photo shows a father, Mesut Hancer, holding
the hand of his 15 year old daughter who died in the earthquake. In the photo you can see
broken glass, destroyed furniture. “We hope that we will get through this disaster together as
soon as possible and with the least damage,” the Turkish president said. He also declared a
three month long state emergency in 10 areas where rescuers race against time to save the
lives of the people.
The death toll was higher than 11,000 and it’s the deadliest quake worldwide in more than a
decade. The government needs to send more help to the disaster. No one was allowed to stay
in their homes and no one was allowed to leave the streets. Some search teams from more than
a few countries joined the local emergency and aids to help find the missing people in the
rubble. But the amount of damage and how powerful it was and the spread was so big and there
were so many waiting for help. “Today isn’t a pleasant day, because as of today there is no hope
left in Malatya.” Pikal told the AP by telephone, “no one is coming out alive from the rubble.” A
hotel building collapsed in the city and more than a hundred people were trapped.
There is a shortage of rescuers in the areas, and by being so cold it was hard for the
people to even get help. “Our hands cannot pick up anything because of the cold.” Said Pikal.
“Work machines are needed.” While concerns are rising for those still trapped, the rescuers
working in Turkey said that they pulled nine people alive from the rubble so far. Including
parents with two children and a 13 year old girl. They knew the low temperatures were working
against them.